Another successful fundraising wheelchair bonspiel was held at the Broda Sportsplex in Kamsack.
On January 25 and 26, a total of 16 four-person teams participated in the event which required players to send curling rocks down the ice using a stick, while seated in a wheelchair steadied by a person standing behind.
“Without the steady hand of a teammate behind the wheelchair on the ice, there would be a lot of slipping and sliding, not to mention where the rock may end up,” said Taylor Geres of Langenburg, a member of the Teddy Hudye foursome. Other members were Kyle Merceau of Langenburg and Josh Gogol of Canora, who also attends the Four Steps Wellness Centre in Regina for ongoing therapy.
“There are no ‘sweepers’ in this game,” said Hudye, explaining that scoring of the game was similar to shuffleboard.
“We had four more teams in the event this year,” said Kim Hudye, an organizer of the second annual benefit function held for her son Teddy, who has been wheelchair bound for the past four years following a dirt bike accident. Proceeds of the Funspiel go towards helping pay for Teddy’s ongoing therapy at Four Steps Wellness Centre in Regina.
It is estimated that $6,500 was raised at the event from sponsors and team entry fees.
Last year around $5,000 was raised in the Funspiel.
“The event went well this year,” Kim said. “New people came as spectators this year and were enthusiastic about trying the event next year. They said it looked like it would be fun to give it a try.”
In the Shoot to the Pin contest, the winner was Zac Petruk who took home $250.
“In Shoot to the Pin a person may ‘buy’ a rock at $5 or five for $20,” said Kim. “The person has one chance per rock to get it closest to the centre of the rings. The shooter is seated in a wheelchair, with someone to steady the chair, and the shooter uses a stick. There is no sweeping.”
The 50/50 draw winners were Bruce and Colleen Hunter, who took home $120.
Winners of the raffle prize baskets were Colby Bryksa and Faye Korpatniski.
“We wish to acknowledge the support of the curlers and sponsors,” Kim said. “We could not be this successful without them.”
